Submitted by Jacob Leech on
Summary and results of MotoGP qualifying:
Briton Cal Crutchlow has taken a decisive pole position for the Iveco TT at Assen. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider sealed his first ever pole by three tenths of a second with his final nail biting lap. Marc Marquez had jumped to the prime grid position moments before Crutchlow stormed home, relegating the Spanish rookie to second place. German Stefan Bradl completed the front row placings in third and will start Saturday's race from the front row for the first time in his blossoming career.
Valentino Rossi held top spot in the closing stages of the session but had to be happy with the fourth fastest lap time and a second row starting place. He will be joined by Dani Pedrosa and Bradley Smith. Pedrosa had a big crash midway through the session, he made it back to pit lane in time to venture out on his second bike, but the Repsol Honda rider decided to observe the remainder of the session from afar.
Aleix Espargaro, Alvaro Bautista and Randy DePuniet comprise the makeup of row three. Espargaro and DePuniet were extremely satisfied after encouragingly strong performances from their Power Electronics Aspar ART machines.
Q2 Results:
| Pos. | Num. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff | Diff Previous |
| 1 | 35 | Cal CRUTCHLOW | Yamaha | 1'34.398 | ||
| 2 | 93 | Marc MARQUEZ | Honda | 1'34.755 | 0.357 | 0.357 |
| 3 | 6 | Stefan BRADL | Honda | 1'34.878 | 0.480 | 0.123 |
| 4 | 46 | Valentino ROSSI | Yamaha | 1'34.974 | 0.576 | 0.096 |
| 5 | 26 | Dani PEDROSA | Honda | 1'35.006 | 0.608 | 0.032 |
| 6 | 38 | Bradley SMITH | Yamaha | 1'35.454 | 1.056 | 0.448 |
| 7 | 41 | Aleix ESPARGARO | ART | 1'35.500 | 1.102 | 0.046 |
| 8 | 19 | Alvaro BAUTISTA | Honda | 1'35.508 | 1.110 | 0.008 |
| 9 | 14 | Randy DE PUNIET | ART | 1'35.622 | 1.224 | 0.114 |
| 10 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | Ducati | 1'35.908 | 1.510 | 0.286 |
| 11 | 51 | Michele PIRRO | Ducati | 1'36.866 | 2.468 | 0.958 |
| NC | 99 | Jorge LORENZO | Yamaha |
Q1 Results:
| Pos. | Num. | Rider | Bike | Time | Diff | Diff Previous |
| 1 | 14 | Randy DE PUNIET | ART | 1'36.087 | ||
| 2 | 69 | Nicky HAYDEN | Ducati | 1'36.162 | 0.075 | 0.075 |
| 3 | 29 | Andrea IANNONE | Ducati | 1'36.432 | 0.345 | 0.270 |
| 4 | 8 | Hector BARBERA | FTR | 1'36.490 | 0.403 | 0.058 |
| 5 | 4 | Andrea DOVIZIOSO | Ducati | 1'36.524 | 0.437 | 0.034 |
| 6 | 9 | Danilo PETRUCCI | Ioda-Suter | 1'36.695 | 0.608 | 0.171 |
| 7 | 17 | Karel ABRAHAM | ART | 1'36.791 | 0.704 | 0.096 |
| 8 | 5 | Colin EDWARDS | FTR Kawasaki | 1'37.143 | 1.056 | 0.352 |
| 9 | 67 | Bryan STARING | FTR Honda | 1'37.315 | 1.228 | 0.172 |
| 10 | 71 | Claudio CORTI | FTR Kawasaki | 1'37.625 | 1.538 | 0.310 |
| 11 | 68 | Yonny HERNANDEZ | ART | 1'37.781 | 1.694 | 0.156 |
| 12 | 70 | Michael LAVERTY | PBM | 1'38.378 | 2.291 | 0.597 |
| 13 | 52 | Lukas PESEK | Ioda-Suter | 1'38.704 | 2.617 | 0.326 |
| 14 | 22 | Ivan SILVA | FTR | 1'39.077 | 2.990 | 0.373 |
Comments
Great session
And Bradley Smith on the 2nd row; great effort.
Ducatis running very badly here and handbags between Dovi and Barbera in Q1...
Ducati vs Aprilia
It shows what a flowing track Assen is if the underpowered Aspar ART machines can post faster lap times than the factory Ducati boys.
While it doesn't speak volumes for the progress achieved in the Ducati camp, the Aspar team must feel very happy with the progress they've made over the last 18 months.
And with the possibility of a pneumatic cylinder head to eliminate (some of) the power deficit, it makes the proddie Honda seem like a bit of a silly option for next year. Aprilia seem to have played the CRT game very well indeed.
David - Any idea how the costs of running the ART (with the level of support Aspar enjoy from Aprilia) compare to the proposed Yamaha and Honda customer offerings for next year?
The ART already costs more
The ART already costs more than the proddie Honda, I have read. And next year, thanks to the new rules, there is a good chance Aprilia will go to the spec ECU/software combo, DE has written.
ART Cost
I believe I heard mentioned yesterday that the cost of developing and building a frame for use with a customer Yamaha engine alone would cost more than the entire ART package.. It certainly makes you wonder what the more effective option would be.
and now what for Lorenzo?
Jorge achieved in FP1 a better time than Crutchlow in QP2.
So, where does that leave Lorenzo, in case he is allowed to race tomorrow ? Does he have to start last?
Yes he would
And by the way Jorge did 1'35.263 in FP1, almost a second slower than Cal's QP time.
I understand from Eurosport
I understand from Eurosport that if Lorenzo rides in FP tomorrow morning, he will be given 12th place on the grid. If he doesn't, it stays empty.
I hope he doesn't risk it.
Good job, Cal!
Even with Lorenzo absent that was a damned impressive performance. Hope he can bring it on for the race.
Wide open race
I hope that Cal can bring it home but just don't think that is going to happen; too many times he seems to let his head get away from him when there is a duel*
Also, as much as Bradl has recently progressed, I do not see him holding on to that podium spot by race's end*
I think we have a wide open race for a change*
MM93 or VR46 for the win*
*Beware Bautista, he lurks in grid position 8
Safe to say
that VR JB and co has not found a step forward.
Too soon...
...to come to that conclusion, they have barely been on a dry track this weekend. Rossi only 2 tenths off 2nd, I would say that's more likely an improvement than nothing at all.
However, I think impossible to say with any certainty.
Conditions
Anyone know the conditions of QP2? Was it dry?
Dry
Yes. It was dry.
Auspicious occasion
I fancy Rossi to win this one. No doubt no 100th GP win banner will be unfurled as of yesteryear,but this one is his to lose.
I would also pick Rossi for
I would also pick Rossi for this one. The guy knows how to win when the chips are down and the opportunity is there.
If he does not win, he will be on the ground.
PIT BULL?
Am I having a nervous breakdown, or did you say something positive regarding Rossi? :-)
I hope you're right, my friend. Truly, I do.
The Hondas struggle a bit
The Hondas struggle a bit here, he's the only healthy rider on a factory Yamaha, and no one else has been working on their late braking as much as Rossi and Burgess lately. And guess where races at Assen are won and lost? In that last chicane and on the brakes.
Also, you have to consider the psychological element. I can't peer into Rossi's head. But I can imagine what it would be like to be an athlete at his level, soundly beaten and questioning himself as he has during the first part of this season, and then an opportunity like this comes up, where two of the guys who have been b***h-slapping you around have broken bones, and the one other rider who's realistically got a shot at beating you is thinking long-term championship. How hard do you push, how deep to you dig, to show yourself and the world that you are capable of a win again?
This whole thing is gonna be nuts.
My 0.02.
And loose he will - that's my feeling
Be it dry or wet, I'd put my money on Marques ... not to mention that if it's dry, Cal is in, too, with a chance to win. These two guys are hungry enough to try to make the most out of Jorge's misfortune, regardless the risks ...
double post
sorry...
No such luck
Pedrosa not falling, Marquez not having broken finger and toe, Lorenzo competing in QP without a collarbone fracture Rossi would have been where he was in the last few QPs around 7th.
Although a 46-fan I do not see him getting back to his former glory or even close.
So be it, all things must end.
That's my point exactly. All
That's my point exactly. All those things DID happen. And more, Pedrosa's not gonna hang it out to beat Rossi, nor will Marquez.
Remember a couple of years ago when Rossi took out Stoner in the rain? Rossi was digging hard because he knew the Ducati sucked in everything but wet conditions. He was trying to rise to the opportunity.
I can totally see that happening on Saturday.
Oh yeah, remember about two days ago when everyone was b******g about how boring this sport was and how desperately it needs to be fixed?
;)
Well...
People have been complaining for a lot longer than "two days ago".
And I suspect that Marquez would indeed "hang it out".
So like every other championship/race ever
If Dothan didn't crash, Rainey wouldn't have won
If Rainey didn't crash, Kevin wouldn't have won
If loris hadn't crashed, Micky wouldn't have won
Or in case of assen. If Edwards hadn't crashed, Micky wouldn't have won.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda.
Please explain...
Why would Lorenzo being there have dropped Rossi from 4th to 7th? I think 5th at worst...
CRT and Bruised Pilots
Wow, those Aprilia powered bikes seem to be getting better with each race. It must truly suck to be riding one of those Ducatis right now and barely beating Espargaro and co. Feel sorry for Hayden and Dovi.
I wouldn't consider a victory for any of the riders in this race any less than a race with perfect conditions and all riders racing. A bruised/broken rider seems to bring something extra to the race. Tricky conditions make it more challenging. This race seems more intriguing to me than any race this season.
Cal on pole...
MM battered...
ARTs....mixing it up like never before
VR qualifying in a position to fight for the win...
Lorenzo....contemplating a ride one day after surgery..
And if it rains.....holy crap...
Fun times in about 15 hours
No mention of "The Kick"
Not a word about Dovi kicking at Barbera... imagine if it was Stoner doing the kicking :)
Awesome effort by Cal... c'mon Yamaha give him the support he deserves!
Saw that...
Was raging about this at work to a mate... I hope Dovi gets penalised, pathetic behaviour, no different to Stoner.
Dovi and Barbera
were both assessed 1 penalty point - Barbera for impeding Dovi, and Dovi for "action prejudicial to the interests of the sport".
Coulda Woulda Sh..
True indeed. However 9 out of 10 times this scenario would not occur and therefor the results at Assen are not a fair representation of where Rossi is at.
Maybe he can win today but I do not think he has found anything significant to improve his performance.
Putting it even more blunt: I think Rossi will quit at the end of the current season just because of that.